Apparatus for tempering glass bottles and like articles



C. E. MONGAN, JR

APPARATUS FOR TEMPERING GLASS BOTTLES AND LIKE ARTICLES Dec. z8, 1943.

Filed May 22, 1941 ...n.hm... ....wwmh.. d.......... -..milky if@lPatented Dec. 28, 1943 APPARATUS FOR TEMPERING GLASS BOTTLES AND LIKEARTICLES Charles E. Mongan, Jr., HartforcLCnnn., assignor toHartford-Empire Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation ol' Delaware l yApplication May 22,1941, serial No. 394,599 14 claims. (01.' 49-45) Thisinvention relates to improvements in apparatus for applying cooling uidto glass bottles, jars, and other hollow glass articles, especially toeffect tempering thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a means for applying coolingfluid to the exterior of a hollow glass article which will aord betterfacilities than heretofore for eiecting regulable control of theapplication of the cooling fluid to the external surface of the articleat various Vplaces along the len-gththereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a tempering apparatusof the character described a novel blowing lframe within which a bottleor like article may be supported in position to be subjected to coolingfluid applied by the cooling frame to the entire external lateral andbottom surfaces of such article.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a glass temperingapparatus of the character described a novel blowing frame whichincludes one or more elongate substantiallyvertical cooling fluiddischarge units extending substantially parallel with the longitudinalaxis of a glass article to ,be tempered and adapted for part of itslength to discharge cooling uid in a substantially horizontal directionagainst the lateral external surface of the article and fora furtherYpart of its length to discharge cooling fluid in an inclined directionagainst the external bottom surface of the article.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a tempering apparatusof the character described a novel blowing frame having a plurality ofelongate substantially vertical cooling fluid discharge unitsrespectively located at spaced points .in a circle about an Vaxisapproximately coincident with the axis of the glass article to be 4thevertical axis of the blowing frame, together with means movable axiallyof the frame for engaging a glass article to be tempered at a levelbelow the frame and for moving such article vertically to a coolingposition within they confines of the blowing frame.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter bepointed out or will become apparent from the following description of apractical embodiment of such invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a View, mainly lnv vertical section. substantially along theline l--l of Fig. 2, with portions shown in elevation,.ofr a novelrotary blowing frame together with associate supporting structure andmeans for engaging and mov- Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through thestructure shown in Fig. l, substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view but at a lower level, as

at the plane indicated byy section yline 3-3 of Fig. 1; v,

Fig. 4 is a relatively enlarged perspective view of a lower end-sectionof one of the elongate. substantially vertical cooling fluid dischargeunits of the blowing frame, the plane at which the section has beentaken being indicated bythe line 4-4 of Fig. l.

A tempering apparatus of the present invention as illustrated in thedrawing includesy a blowing frame F comprising an upper rotary annularsupporting head Il), an annular lower head ll, vertical frame members l2in the form of rods connecting the lower head I l with the upper headlil, and a plurality of substantially vertical elongate cooling fluiddischarge units i3 mounted between the heads at angularly spaced pointsaround the vertical axis ofthe blowing frame. As shown, the upper headl0 is supported anti-frictlonally, as at i4 and l5, Fig, l, in agenerally cylindrical vertical bearing member i6 which is attached toand supported, in a fixed position by a suitable stationary structure,indicated generally at I'l in Fig. 1. i .f

The rotary upper head l0 may have the lower portion thereof, indicatedat Ill-a, formed to be of greater external size than the body lll-'b ofsuch head. As shown, this relatively large lower portion of the head I0has for convenience of assembly been provided as a separate annularmember overlapping the body Ill-b and fastened to the latter, as by setscrews I8.

The substantially vertical elongate cooling fluid discharge units Iii.lof which three are shown in the drawing, are substantially alike so thatthe following description of one of them will suiiice for all. Thiscooling iiuid discharge unit comprises a substantially straightvertically disposed *pipe |3-a connected at its upper end by a couingplate 25 which is supported upon and pivot ally attached adjacent to itsother end, as at 26, Fig. 3, to the lower head The pivot plug 24 isaxially aligned with the coupling |9 at the upper end of the pipe |3-awhile the pivot member connecting the adjustingr plate 25 with the lowerhead I at 28 is axially aligned with the vertical leg of the elbow 2| atits place of attachment to the upper head I0. Thus. the adjusting plate25 may be swung horizontally about the axis of its pivotal connectionwith the lower head toward or away from the vertical axis of the blowingframe to adjust the radial distance of the pipe |3-a from such axis, thethreaded connection at 22 between the elbow 2| and the upper headpermitting such movement. If desired, a suitable union or other pipefitting may be included in the vertical leg of the elbow 2| to permitthis lateral bodily mevementof the pipe |3-a by the adjusting plate 25without causing any movement of the part of the elbow 2| that is inthreaded engagement with the upper head I0. This is a structural detailwhich readily can be provided. .if desired. y

The adjusting plate may include a laterally extending portion 25-aprovided With an arcuate slot 2'| through which extends the shank of acap bolt 28 which is screwed into the lower head. Whenthe cap bolt 28has been tightened against the plate 25, the latter will be clamped tothe lower head to maintain the pipe |3.a in any of the various positionsto which it may have been adjusted.

The pipe |3-a of each of the cooling iiuld discharge units I3 may belaterally enlarged or embossed at the inner side thereof, as indicatedat 29, and may be provided with a longitudinally extending slot 30 inthis laterally enlarged porof discharge regulating strips can of coursebe adjusted independently of the.y other pairs of strips. The adjacentside edges of the strips of each pair may be parallel with each othe andwith the sides of the adjacentportion of the slot 30 (as shown for thepairs of strips 3|35, inclusive, Fig. l), or be formed to' be upwardlyor downwardly convergent or to cooperate with each other to make theoutlet end of the slot 30 or a portion thereof of any predeterminedconguration that will be useful in the service for which the blowingframe is intended.

tion.I This slot may extend for the entire or any desired part of thelength of the pipe |3-a and may be continuous for its full length or beinterrupted at spaced places along its length byl webs or cross members3'0-a, Fig. 1. 'I'he laterally enlarged portion 29 of the pipe |3-a maybe formed to have substantially flat faces at the sides of the slot 30.Pairs of vertically disposed laterally adjustable discharge regulatingstrips respectively indicated at 3|, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 are securedto the laterally enlarged portion 29 on the pipe |3-a against the ilatouter faces at opposite sides of the slot 30. as by cap bolts' 31extending through laterally enlarged openings or lateral slots 38 insuch` strips into the laterally enlarged portion 29 of the pipe |3-a. Itwill be understood that by adjusting the 'component members of each ofthese pairs of strips toward ora-way from each-other on the outer faceof the enlargedportion 29 of the. pipe |3'a, the elicative width of theoutlet end of the discharge slot 30 can be adjusted from zero to thefull Vwidth of such slot. The respective members of each pair Thus, thedischarge regulating strips 3.6-36 which control lateral discharge ofiiuid from a portion of the pipe 3-a that is located below the level ofa bottle 39 that is supported (in a manner hereinafter described) withinthe blowing frame are shown as having their adjacent edge portionsformed to be different from those of the other strips. The strips 36 areformed at their adjacent portions to define between them a plurality ofupwardly inclined vertical discharge apertures 40 for discharging jetsof cooling fluid against the lower corner portion and the bottom surfaceof the bottle 39 at desired angles of incidence to such surfaces, asshown by the arrows 4| in Fig. l. As shown in detail in Fig. 4, theseinclined discharge apertures 40 are defined by providing the respectivestrips 36 with laterally extending mating or interengaging tongues orprojections 36a at their adjacent edge portions. The effective size ofthese inclined discharge apertures 40 can be varied by relative lateraladjustment ofthe strips 35, as in the case of the other strips. i

The pipe |3-a can be turned about its vertical axls to adjust thedirection of the streams or jets of cooling fluid discharged therefromtoward the bottle within the blowing framejthis adjustment beingindependent of and available to compensate for lateral bodilyadjustments of such pipe toward or away from such bottle.

The passages 23 communicate with a peripheral groove 42 in the body ofthe head I0. 'This groove in turn communicates with a passage 43 inbearing member I6. AA suitable cooling fluid under pressure, such asair, steam or vapor. may be supplied to the passage 43 from any suitablesource of supply through a pipe 44'. If the cooling fluid employedincludes moisture; it may be desirable to drain from the structure anycondensation or moisture passing into and through the bearings orbetween other relatively moving parts. Thus, the lower`portion of thebearing member I6 may be provided with an internal moisture collectinggroove 45 from which moisture may pass through a passage 464 to' a drainpipe 41.. i

The'aforesaid peripheral groove 42 may communicate at suitable placesaround such groove with passages, such as that indicated at 48 inFig. 1. These passages open through the bottom of the head l0. Asuitable pipe fitting, such as that indicated at 49, may be threadedlyengaged with the lower end portion of the walls of each course open thetongs.

sage through `the member 50. As shown in Fig. 2,

there are three of these, auxiliary or secondary blowing units, forblowing cooling fluid onto the neck finish portion of the bottle withinthe blowing frame. They are shown as being spaced equidistant around theaxis'of the blowing frame and respectively alternating with theelongatev vertical fluid discharge or main blowing units I3.

The distance of each of the nozzles l from the bottle can beadjusted'within limitsby swinging the head 50 around the axis of thepipe iitting 49. The connection ofthe nozzle 5| with the head 50 permitsa compensatory rotary adjustment of the nozzle 5| about its own axis sothat the jet holes 52 will be turned toward the axis of the blowingframe at any position relative'to the'bottle to which such nozzle hasbeen moved.' The independent rotary ladjustment of the nozzle 5| aboutits own axis may be employed to vary the angle at which the jets ofcooling fluid will strike the bottle.

It vmaybe desirable to pick up an article of glassware, such as thebottle 39, when the article is at a level below the blowing frame, as'ona stationary dead plate (not shown) to which the article has beentransferred from the machine by which such article was formed or fromthe interior of heating oven (not shown) or other suit-l able device forbringing the article to a proper temperature for the temperingoperation. The article engaging and pick-up means 'shown in the drawingcomprises a tongs head 54, carried by vertically movable tubular rods 55which depend throughthe open central bore 5G of the upper head I0. Thetongs head 54 carries a plurality of cooperative depending pivoted tongfingers 51, each of which is provided vwith an article engaging member58. As shown, the member 58 is a pbinted screw which isl adjustablysupported by the' lower portion of a tong finger 51 and adapted tocontact at its point with the external surface of the neck finishportion of the bottle 39 beneath the external bead thereon when the tongfinger is in an appropriate position.

Means for -opening and closing the tongs to grip and to release thearticle of glassware at the proper times may comprise a verticallymovable plate 59 carried by vertically movable rods 60 which extendthrough and are guided by the Fig. 1, and a cooling position within theblowing frame may be operated manually or by any suitable supporting andoperating mechanism, provision of which is within the skill of workersin the art to which the present invention pertains.

Blowing of a cooling fluid'against the external surface of the articleat the cooling position by blowing means substantially as hereindescribed may be initiated and continued as required -to effect thedesired cooling of the article externally. Cooling of the internalsurface thereof may be effected, in conjunction with the externalcooling, as by the use of a suitable internal nozzle 62 which may dependthrough suitable openings in the plate 59 and the tongs head 54' intothe article. The internal nozzle may be supported and supplied withcooling fluid by any suitable known means, none being shown. Also,itwill be understood that the cooling fluid discharge features fthexgnozzle 62 may be such as to effect y suitable cooli of the bottleor other article of glassware at he interior thereof according to anypredetermined pattern or plan.

During the blowing of cooling fluid against the external surface of thebottle, the blowing frame may be rotated about its axis. rotation, anysuitable means may be employed. As shown, an annular gear or pinion 63is secured tothe head I0, as by fastening devices tubular members bywhich the tongs head 54 is supported. Pivoted links 6| connect the plate59 with the tongnngers 51 at places which are located inwardly from theplaces of pivotal connections of' these fingers with the head 54.Vertical movement of the plate 59 in an upward tong ngers, as to closedor article gripping posirtions, as shown in-Fig. 1. Downward movement ofthe plate 59 relative to the head 54 will of cated by the-broken linesinthe lower part of direction relative to the head 54 will cause-inwardv swinging movements of the lower ends of the such as represented by thescrew 54, so that the gear' is axially aligned with thlenhead. Rotationfof such gear will cause rotation of the head I0- and the parts carriedby the latter, includingfiiheA blowing frame, as a unit. It of Vcoursewill be understood that a suitable driving gear, represented by thatpartially sho-wn at 53-a, Fig, 1, may be provided in mesh with the gear63.

Various modifications of and changes in the illustrative structure shownin the drawing and herein specifically describe-d will readily occur tothose skilled-in the artl and I therefore do-not wish to belimited tothe details of such structure.

`What I claim is: y

1. In apparatus for applying a cooling fluid to va bottle or other glasscontainer, an elongate' vtubular blowing member open at one end toreceive acooling huid under pressure and closed at its opposite end,said tubular blowing member having an elongate slot in one sidethereof,'means controlling discharge of fluid from part of said slot todirect the uid discharging therefrom in a direction extending atapproximately a right angle with the longitudinal axis of the tubularblowing member, and means for controlling discharge of fluid fromanother part of said sloty to direct the fluid discharging therefrom ina direction oblique to the longitudinal axis of the tubular blowingmember.

A 2. In apparatus for applying la cooling fluid a bottle or other glasscontainer, an elongate tubular blowing member operi at one end for thereception of a coolingi'luid under pressure and closed at itsoppositeend, said tubular blowing member having a slot in one side thereofextending longitudinally of said member for a substantial part of itslength, strips adjustably secured to said tubular member to project oversaid slot from oppositer sides thereof forY part ofthe length of theslot to denne a fluid discharge outlet of regulable width for thedischarge of fluid from that part of said slot, and other stripsadjustably .secured to said tubular member to project over`inter-engaging edge portions constructedl and To effect such arrangedto define discharge apertures extending in directions oblique to thelongitudinal axis of said tubular blowing member.

3. In apparatus for applying a cooling fluid under pressure to a bottleor other glass container, an elongate substantially straight tubularblowing member closed at one of its ends, means connected with saidtubular member at its opposite end for supporting the tubular member ina substantially vertical position and for supplying a cooling fluidunder pressure thereto, said tubular member having a longitudinallyextending slot in one side thereof for the escape of fluid underpressure from the interior of said tubular member, pairs o'flongitudinally extending strips secured to said tubular member forcontrolling discharge of said iiuid from different portions of saidslot, the individual strips of each pair being located at opposite sidesof the slot and each being laterally adjustable relative to the tubularmember to project more or less over the slot from its own-side thereof,the strips of one of said pairs having inter-engaging portions at theiradjacent edges cooperating to define inclined discharge apertureseffective to-direct part of the iluid discharging from said tubularmember in jets or streams moving in an inclined direction with relationtothe longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

4. In apparatus for applying cooling fluid to a bottle or other glasscontainer, the combination with means for suspending such a container inan upright position of an elongate substantially straight tubularblowing member closed at one of its ends, said tubular member having alongitudinally extending slot in one side thereof, means connected withthe tubular vmember at its opposite end for supporting said tubularmember in substantially vertical position inspaced adjacent relation tosaid glass container with the side of the tubular member containing saidslot turned toward said container and with the closed end of saidtubular member lowermost and for conducting duid under pressure to theinterior of said tubular member, means for reguing member closed at oneof its ends, said tubular` member having a longitudinally extending slot`in one side thereof, means for supporting said tubular member insubstantially vertical position, with` its closed end downward, forrotation around said glass container in spaced adjacent relation theretoand with the side of the tubular member containing such slot turnedtoward said container, said last-named means being constructed andarranged to supply fluid under pressure to the interior of said tubularmember, means for regulating discharge of iluid under pressure throughone portion of `said slot to direct said iiuid horizontally against aside wall of said glass container, and means for controlling dischargeof fluid under pressure through another portion of said slot to directthe latter uid in inclined streams against the bottom of said container.

. 6. In apparatus lfor applying cooling fluid to a bottle or other glasscontainer, the combination with means for suspending such a container inan upright position of an elongate tubular blowing member closed at oneof its ends, said tubular member having a longitudinally extending slotin one side thereof, means for supporting said tubular member insubstantially vertical position, with its closed end downward, forrotation around said glass container in spaced adjacent relation theretoand with the side of the tubular member containing said slot toward saidcontainer, said last-named means being constructed and arranged tosupply fluid under pressure to the interior of said tubular member,means for regulating discharge of fluid under pressure through oneportion of said slot to direct said uid horizontally against a side wallof the container, means for controlling discharge of fluid throughanother portion of said slot to direct the latter fluid in inclinedstreams against the bottom of said container, an auxiliary blowf ingmember carried by said means for supporting supply said cooling uidthereto.

'7. In apparatus for applying a cooling fluid to a glass bottle or otherglass container, a blowing frame comprising an annular upper head, meansfor supporting said head with its axis vertical and for rotation aboutsaid axis, a plurality of elongate tubular blowing units carried by anddepending from said head, said blowing units being arranged in anapproximate circle concentric with said` head, said blowing units beingclosed at their lower ends, said head having passages formed thereincommunicating with the interiors of said tubularblowing units and themeans for supporting the head being constructed and arranged to supplyfluid under pressure to said passages, said tubular blowing units alsohaving lateral discharge apertures in their sides next to' the axis ofrotation of said head for discharging fluid under pressure from theirinteriors toward said axis, and means depending through said annularhead for suspending a bottle or otherl glass container within the areabounded by said tubular blowingunits in positiornto be bathed in coolinguid from said blowing units.

i 8. In apparatus for applying a cooling fluid to a glass bottle orother glass container, a blowing frame comprising an annular upper head,means for supporting said head with its axis vertigal and for rotationabout said axis, aplurality'ff elongate tubular blowing units carried byand depending from said head, said blowing units being arranged in anapproximate circle concentric with said head, said blowing units beingclosed at their lower ends, said head having passages formed thereincommunicating with the interiors of said tubular blowing units and themeans for supporting said head being constructedand arranged to supplyfluid under pressure to said passages, said tubular blowing units also lhaving lateral discharge apertures in their si next to the axis ofrotation of said head for dis-V charging fluid under pressure from theirinteriors toward said axis, means for suspending a bottle or other glasscontainer in an upright position within the area bounded by said tubularblowing units in position to be bathed in cooling uid fromvsaid blowingunits,land auxiliary relatively .short blowing units carried by anddepending from said head in spaced relation with the suspended glasscontainer, said last named blowing units being constructed and arrangedto dischargev cooling uid under pressure onto the exterior of the upperportion only of said sus-l pended glass container, said headand saidmeans for supporting it being constructed and arranged to supply saidcooling iiuid to said auxiliary blowing units.

v 9. In apparatus for applying a coolingviluid to,

a glass bottle or other glass container, a blowing .frame comprising anannular upper had, means for supporting said head with its axis VerticalVand for rotation about said axis, a plurality of elongate tubularblowing units carriedby and depending 'from said head, said blowingunits being arranged in an approximate circle concentric with saidhead,said blowing units being closed atvtheir lower ends, said'headhaving pas- .sages formed therein communicating'with the interiors ofsaid tubular blowing units and the means for supporting said head beingconstructed and arranged to supply fluid under pressure to 'saidpassages, said tubular blowing units also having lateral dischargeapertures in their sides next to the axis of rotation of said head fordischarging uid under pressure from their in teriors toward said axis,means for suspending a bottle or -other glass container in an uprightposition within the area bounded by said tubular blowing units inposition to be bathed in cooling uid from saidblowing unitsauxiliaryrelatively short blowing units carried by and depending from said headin spaced relation with the susn charge cooling fluid underpressure'onto the exterior of the upper portion only of said suspended.

head, a plurality of elongate blowing units-having lateral dischargeoutlets, means connecting the opposite ends of said elongate'units withsaid heads so that said units are spaced angularly around the axis ofthe frame with their lateral discharge outlets turned toward said axisandv so that each blowing unit is independently ad-y justable bodilytoward and vfrom said axis, and means for gripping a bottle lor similararticle externally at its neck portion and for suspending said articlewithin 'the confines of said blowing frame in position to be cooled atits exteriorf by mrI""in'grlateral-dischalgi Wtlet's' means connectingthe opposite ends ot said elongate blowingl units with `said heads sothat said umts -are spaced angularly around the axis of the frame withtheir lateral discharge outlets turned toward said axis and so that eachblowingunit is independently adjustable bodily toward and from said.axis, 5 means for gripping a bottle or similar article externally at itsneck portion and for suspending said article within the conlines of saidlblowing frame in position to be cooled at its exterior by cooling tluidfrom said blowing units, said means for gripping and suspending saidglass article being movable axially of said frame to move said articlebodily between a position completely lbelow said frame upwardly throughsaid lower head to said position within'the connes of said frame. I i

l 12. In apparatus for applying-'a cooling -iluid to a glass bottle orother glass container, a rotary blowing frame comprising an annularupper head, means for supporting said head with its axis vertical andfor rotation about said axis, a

plurality ofelongate tubular blowing units carried by and depending fromsaid head, said blowing units -being arranged in an approximate circleconcentric with said head, said blowing units being closed at theirlower ends, said head having passages-- formed therein communicating.with the interiors of said tubular blowing units and -the means forsupporting said head being constructed and arranged to supply 'uid underpressure to said passages, said tubular blowing units also havinglateral discharge aperturesvin their sides next to the laxis of rotationof said head for discharging fluid under pressure from their Y interiorstoward said axis, means for suspending a bottle or other glass containerin an upright position`within the area bounded by said tubular blowingunitsin position to receive cooling iiuid from said blowing units,auxiliary relatively short b'lowing units, and means connecting saidaux- 0 iliaryr blowing units with said head so that they dependtherefromvain spaced relation with the suspended glass container an'deach auxiliary `blowing unit is independently rotatable about its ownvertical axis, said last named blowing units being constructed andarranged to discharge cooling fluid under pressure onto the exterior ofthe upper portion. only of said suspended glass container, said head andsaid means for supporting it. being constructed and arranged to supplysaid cooling fluidv to said auxiliaryblowing units. 13. In apparatus'forapplying cooling, fluid to a bottle or similar glass article, a blowingframe comprising vertically spaced substantially horizontal upper andlower annular heads and v er- 4 -tica1 rods connecting said heads toeach other, l, a plurality of substantially vertical elongate tubularblowing units having lateral discharge .,outlets. and adjusting meansmovably connecting said blowing units with said heads to position theblowing units in angularly spaced relation around theaxis of said frameand so that each of said' blowing units is adjustable bodily relativelyto the axis of said frame and adJustable rotatably about its own axis. A

l14. In apparatus for lapplying cooling fluid to a bottle or similarglass article, a blowing frame comprising vertically spaced,substantially hori' zontal upper and lower annular headsl and verticalrods connecting said heads to each other,

a plurality of substantially -vertial elongate Atubular blowing units,adjusting means movably connecting said blowing units with said heads toposition the blowingvunits in angularly spaced relationv around theVaxis of said frame and so` 15 that` each ot said blowing units is.iadjustable bodily relatively tothe axis oi' said frame and adjustablerotatably about its own axis, each .of said blowing units having alongitudinally extending slot in its side that is turned toward the axisof the frame, means depending through said upper head for suspending abottle or similar glass article within the confines of said blowingframe and substantially concentric therewith, and means carried by saidtubular blowing units a substantially horizontal direction against the.

exterior of the side walls oi. said glass article and inclined jets 0Icooling fluid against the lower corner and bottom portions of saidarticle.

CHARLES E. MONGAN. Jn.

